Operation Olivia
- Operation Olivia Protects Over 8 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles in Odisha
- Operation Olivia, a conservation initiative, has successfully safeguarded more than 800,000 Olive Ridley turtles along Odisha’s Gahirmatha coast.
- About Operation Olivia
- Launched in the 1980s by the Indian Coast Guard, Operation Olivia is an annual conservation drive running from November to May. The operation primarily targets key coastal areas like Gahirmatha Beach, Rushikulya River Mouth, and Devi River Mouth—regions known for the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles, a phenomenon called arribada.
- Olive Ridley Turtles
- These turtles are found in tropical waters worldwide, except for the Gulf of Mexico. The species is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN and is included in CITES Appendix I, which provides the highest level of protection. Through continued efforts like Operation Olivia, the survival of these endangered turtles is actively supported, ensuring their nesting habitats remain protected during the crucial breeding season.